MrWeb's MR-a-thon

The two parts of the name of Bosnia and Herzegovina are maintained because they define the region, and not to denote ethnic groups - however the region of Herzegovina has no precisely defined borders of its own. This former Yugoslav republic has just a few miles of coastline, on the Adriatic sea, and its boundaries have changed as it has moved in and out of various regimes over the centuries.

There was a Kingdom of Bosnia in the 14th century, but this was annexed by the Ottomans the following century, bringing an influx of Muslims whose culture influences the state today; and remained part of that Empire until the late 19th century. The territory was then annexed in 1878 into the Austro-Hungarian monarchy until the latter's dissolution after the First World War. It subsequently joined a larger slav state and after World War II became part of the communist Yugoslav state. On proclaiming independence in 1992, Bosnian Serbs rejected the decision and armed to protect their territory, and a brutal and horrific conflict developed, lasting until 1995 and including scenes such as the massacre of Srebrenica and the siege of Sarajevo which were beamed around the world. Around 100,000 deaths and more than 2 million people displaced make this the most destructive conflict in Europe since the end of the Second World War.The country now has advanced education and low debt, a blooming tourist industry and a growing reputation for cultural festivals. Its GDP however, having shrunk by 75% during the war, is still recovering and unemployment is high.